Focusing on Appearance:
* "He was as thin as a rake." (Describing Sirius Black)
* "The Dementors were like living shadows, their faces obscured by hoods, their hands skeletal." (Describing Dementors)
* "His eyes were as bright as emeralds." (Describing Harry's eyes)
Focusing on Action or Feeling:
* "The cat, which had been staring at them with a look of intense concentration, darted away like a flash of lightning." (Describing the cat's movements)
* "His heart pounded like a drum in his chest." (Describing Harry's anxiety)
* "He felt as if he was going to be sick." (Describing Harry's nausea)
Focusing on Emotion or Atmosphere:
* "The air was as thick as treacle." (Describing the oppressive atmosphere)
* "The silence was so complete it was as if all the world had been sucked out of it." (Describing the silence surrounding the Shrieking Shack)
* "The fear was like a cold hand gripping his heart." (Describing Harry's fear)
Using Similes for Humor:
* "He was as pleased as punch." (Describing someone's happiness)
* "He was as white as a sheet." (Describing someone's shock)
* "She was as mad as a hatter." (Describing someone's anger)
These are just a few examples of the many similes used in "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban". The use of similes helps to create vivid imagery and bring the story to life.